Ventilating toilet



F. A. HUFF 2,619,655 VENTILATNG TOILET Filed Oct. 4, 1946 INVENTOR. FL 0 YD HUFF lex/ i0@ i ATTO/KEYS Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNI-Tm 2,619,655 Y vENfmr-'JYATING'roILET FityaA. une, .Messner-ott@ A Atiplatieoctber 4, 194s; sentirmi tornail This: inventiorelates:.triv water closets; and' more partcularly` to an air" Ventilating sv'stein for-such devices.l

An important? object ofi th'eivinvention` is to provide a` eoristruct'ion vvhioli vt'rilliy remove' the Waste"v air from the'clofset, bowl.

A further obj ectf tlie rtionlis lto provide means-foi fore-ingthe rnev ntlo'f air fron lthe boWl-througha bi1-pa hanneliand-la valve associated therevvith, vih -h automatically opens foran new only when: me' for? forcing. the movenieiitof' the akirf isiii op ra 5 stilll further? obj ect of' the! inveiitio' isi to provide a construction havingal'imeaiisfor'replenishilg the 'fluit-1j in th-Sealing: valve? the by-pass.

Ajstill further objec 'ofr tleinvention is to provideawater closetwitli' -air-circtlatinglrneans to* start and stop on predeterm ed conditions.

Another objectalsois-th 'ont-of! alvehtnating sealing means-wh das; retained, and` lthe'priricipal loss* reqngz that due to slight evapora'tioiiiM A still` further objectofftlie'invention is to provdeiventilatinglmeanslvvh L lt tle" movement of air, and no material- -air pressure is required to 'open`v the valve/ A furtherf obj ect'falso-isf thelprovisio Vof siinp'le andiool-proof constructi and palrticulsltrly` in thev valve or'A sealing-'Ineansun lvedif Another obj-ectisfvthefprovisinlof a sealing valve wherein a.A nonevy orating?liquid-l canbe used*- in they sealing Ina replacement not being required on accoun'toi-` the liquid retaining'constriuctnlm.A

In'fsaidi annexed AmiraWing-,t wherein for the-.pur-

, poselof illustration.lahavefshown my invention as applied to'iarwaterfcloset of1-fstandard=desigm Fig." l'is a sideelevation'al-view-"of awater closet embodying my invention, part being in section; Fig`=n2 isafragmentary .detailplan View of the rear'por-tio'n fof' -th'e-'fli'dnstru'cture;y

ustrative embodiments of '.the f ATE-NT OFFIC on aprojectionitatthe rearl offthe `bovvlf 5V and has: afpiortfor discharging Water to the bowl 5 through the distributing openings-1 in' the; rimduct 8.1V Asthe purpose -ofthis'finventionis; to removethewaste' aigr fromythebowl 5j and it is necessarythat'vvater remain in jtheoutlet trap 9,

a* lov-'pass including a duct III isf provid-ed` from the upper part' ofi the bowl-to the' sewer Icy-'Way of a compartmentA IjI-:hold-ing'afangvalve I2.v This fan' valve is' provided With- `fan `blades f I 3`- and is ofv generally` cupped shape.; and -may have ay depression-or' Well I `l-,wi-tl'i sufcientwater-normally held Within itself to form a valve t with; the fixed central tubef I5 VWhichextends-'intoy the Water. lrefeiablyfthe'A upper' edge o`f the cupped body' of ytheffani'sT turned inas'atfZ; Thefan is connested' with ai drive; motor I1 and is controlled byfasWi-tcli- I8 interposedfinthe"Wiringfleads` I9 which may. extend'from a5 Wall-g plugi-.or other suitable connection. The-control. switchis yoperatedl byfmeansfhereinafter'described. Thus, When the "fan val-ve is-:not revolving; the` Water iny the fan valve i2 seals'ofwthe bottom-of tube I5 as avalve'xin the passageway' frornthe'bowl via-,the duct' It' and' the"discharge' duct-21 leading to: the vent; But When'the fan revolves, the Waterfwill bethrovvn centrifugally'outward Within its-peripheral cup riml'f2'0 enough' 'to uncover the bottom of tube'v I 5 and allow-free: :passage of a'ir' through the-tubev I5; andonitolthe vent ductl 2 I, the fan blades driving 'the 'air forwardly,- and asv thez'trap Sis' alwaysclosed with' Water 'the Waste lair proceedsfonlyzto ventto'the-sewage pipe.; The inner surface tof; the ian-g body may' bef roughened to further favor the' gathering` of the Waterr` in the periphery ofT the fanf'valve within itsint-urned run-20. If-y desired-,fthe outletftrap--rnay be increased in -sizeawhere the.; ductfZ/l"joirlefttieret, asA a vfurther safeguardin obviating interference with the Siphon `action yof the outlet. A small openingVV 2 3 --servesto alwaysinsure adequatel replenishing water to-the f an valve 'compartment when the Vclosetis flushed; as it connectsbetv-feen the'AbovvlA rdistributing "supplyand' :thevduct kI 0 to supply Watergthrough the-tube I5; Adrain 25 maybe providedfor drainingfthe space under thelfanvalve;y r

to the rear is a lever 3d with a right angle ex' tension 35 which is positioned to swing into engagement with switch trip-arm 43a when weight is applied to the seat 2, the front end of which rests on buffers 33 while the rear is normally held up a predetermined distance as controlled by the mating stop offsets or lugs 31, 4i, projecting on the opposed surfaces of the arms and plates and by springs 39, the latter yielding under weight until the bui-Ier d!! contacts the rim of the bowl. In such movement, the trip-lever 34 operates the switch arm l8a and starts the motor. When the weight pressure is released from the seat, the spring 39 raises the rear thereof and the lever 34 comes to position to release the switch arm ld and the switch stops the motor. Preferably a time-delay type of switch is employed, in order to insure removal of all waste air before the fan stops. Over the seat is a lid 42 which has attached to its rear an arm 43 hinged to shaft 3|. As the lid buffers 45 are aligned over the seat buffers 36, and not to the rear thereof, it is seen that weight pressure applied to the lid is prevented from causing operation of the switchcontrol lever 34 4such as to start the motor.

Where the flushing water is supplied directly by an appropriate supply valve instead of from a flush tank, the operation of the present construction is of course the same.

In the form of the fan valve shown in Fig. 4, the fan Y[2a is generally of cylindrical cupped form closed below and having radial blades |3a. The Xed sealing'tube |5a again extends as a passage-way connecting from duct l0, and is slightly spaced up from the depressed bottom of the cupped fan body, whereby water therein may seal the lower end of the tube 15a. The fan body is provided with small openings s which coincide with openings in the fan blades and allow passage of water, the openings being so designed as to open away from the direction of the fan rotation. When the motor I1 is energized, the centrifugal action in the fan throws the liquid out through the openings s and also especially through the open top of the cupped fan into the space or reservoir surrounding the fan, and the lower end of the tube la being freely exposed allows passage of air from the duct l0 through the fan to the discharge duct 2i. As the fan is stopped water will begin to flow back through openings s into the fan cup, and its depression below the tube i511 is filled and re-seals the lower end of the tube l5a to prevent upward passage of air. Due to the circular shape of the fan body without externally projecting blades, it turns with very small resistance in the liquid.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the construction again includes the motor l'l and the fan with blades I3b, and the i-lXed central tube lh therewithin to seal by its lower end in water. The centrifugal force of the fan in rotation causes the liquid in the chamber 50 to swirl outwardly thereby exposing the lower end of the tube E51) and allowing free passage of air as drawn by the fan down through the tube and into the vent duct 2|. Upon the stopping of the fan, the water ows back to the center and re-seals the 4 lower end of the tube, and passage of air is prs vented.

Instead of using water as the sealing liquid, other liquids of non-evaporating character can be used, as for example mercury, and since there is normally no occasion for loss of liquid in its series of movements to the periphery and back, a charge of liquid can last indenitely, and such a valve is of especially Wide usefulness.

In the form shown in Fig. 6, the motor l1 is again arranged to drive the fan having the fan blades |30. The fixed sealing tube l5c is positioned such that its lower end dips into the depression or well Mc for but a slight distance, and the water in the reservoir adjacent thereto eX- tends but slightly above well ldc; consequently only a slight pressure is required to force air down through said tube by the fan; however, considerable pressure is required to force air up through said tube as the entire amount of liquid in the reservoir above the lower end of the tube must be forced up through the tube before any air can pass through. This differential of pressure required is thus of particular advantage.

In all forms of the invention, as seen, vwhen weight is applied to the lid 42 the fan is prevented from operating, but when weight is applied to the seat 21 the fan is operated and its water seal is simultaneously opened for free draw-off of air from the bowl to the vent pipe. But when the fan stops after removal of weight from theseat, the water again flows back center-wise and closes the fan seal as a valve, and passage of air back from the sewer side is prevented.

By the provision of a supply opening and closure plug 53 over the opening 23 (see Fig. 1) antifreeze material may be supplied through the opening 23 and duct l0 to the fan valve compartment for protection thereof in the event of any occasion requiring such.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:`

1. In a Ventilating water closet, a seat, a lid, a flush bowl and ushing means,a fan and valve by-pass compartment, a passage-way connecting thereto from the upper part of the bowl and a passage-way connecting therefrom to vent below the bottom of the bowl, valving means in said by-pass including a fan having a generally cupped shape liquid-holding body and blades thereon, a sealing tube normally dipping into liquid in said liquid-holding body, a motor for driving said fan, a motor-switch, spring means normally holding the rear of the seat slightly elevated, an arm connected to the seat to operate said motor-switch when weight is applied to the seat, and mounting for the lid independent of said seat and switch-operating arm,

2. In a Ventilating water closet, a seat, a flush bowl and ushing means, a fan and valve bypass compartment, a passage-way connecting thereto from the upper part of the bowl and a passage-Way connecting therefrom to vent below the bottom of the bowl, a fan in said by-pass cupshaped for containing sealing liquid, a sealing tube dipping thereinto, a motor for driving said fan, and a motor-switch actuated by weight on the seat.

3. In a Ventilating water closet, 'a seat, a lidl a flush bowl and flushing means, a fan and valve by-pas's compartment, apassage-way connecting thereto' from the upper partiof the bowland-ja passage-way connectingtherefrom t-o ventsbelw ebottoniA olk thev bowl, `valving measjnisaid by-pass: including.. a deepened depression: atk the bbttom of `a surrounding 'liquid-holding imeans whiclil receives and. returns liquid -temporagcilyf` displaced. from said depressionfagsealing. tubev normallyf'dipping into. theliquid in said depression, means centrifugally.v displacing. such "liquid, a motor for'ldriving. said fan, a, motor-switch actuat'edbyweight on theA seat, and-meanspreventing weight on the lid from actuating the motorswitch.

4. In a Ventilating water closet, a seat, a flush bowl and flushing means, air bypass means for evacuating the air-space of the bowl to the sewer including liquid-valving construction having a sealing tube with open lower end normally submerged in a liquid holding depression in a liquid holding means, said means forming a receiving space about said depression for receiving and gravitationally returning an anti-freeze liquid which is contained therein, said 'bypass including a fan whose operation displaces such liquid from said depression for eiecting said air bypass through said tube, and an opening to the upper end of the air bypass for directing a liquid to the air bypass and the fan.

5. In a Ventilating water closet having a iiush bowl and flushing means, a by-pass compartment, a passage-way connecting thereto from the upper part of the bowl and a passage-way connecting therefrom to the sewer below the bottom of the bowl, a fan in said by-pass compartment comprising a cup-like body having fan blades associated therewith, a tube extending into liquid in said cup-like body, a drive moto-r and control switch for said fan, the motor in turning the fan causing the liquid to be centrifugally thrown toward the perimeter of the cup-like body thereby exposing the lower end of said tube for passage of air, and the liquid returning to again seal the tube against passage of air when the fan stops, the only means for passage of air through the by-pass compartment being through said tube.

6. In a Ventilating water closet having a iiush bowl and flushing means, a by-pass communicating between the upper part of the bowl and the sewer, a fan in said by-pass having a cupped body with a liquid-propelling surface, said bypass including means extending into liquid in said cupped body for sealing against the passage of air therethrough when quiescent and permitting the passage of air when the fan is in motion.

7. In a Ventilating water closet, a seat, a lid, a flush bowl and flushing means, a by-pass compartment with a passage-way connecting thereto from the upper part of the bowl and a passage- Way connecting therefrom to the sewer below the bowl, a fan in said by-pass compartment comprising a liquid-holding body and fan blades, said by-pass including means extending into liquid in said body for normally sealing against passage of air therethrough, a motor for driving said fan and throwing liquid peripherally to expose said sealing mean-s, and a motor-switch actuated by weight on the seat.

8. In a Ventilating closet having a ush bowl and ushing water supply means, a by-pass communicating between the upper part of said bowl and the sewer, a fan in said by-pass and a liquidholding depression in association, a sealing tube as part of said by-pass dipping into liquid in said depression, means whereby the fan when in motiondisplaces liquid-to expose thelowen endl of ksai'i sealingtube, and aA connection between. the

fil

flushing fwater 'su-pplymeans andv said-'byl-pass to provide water for said liquid-holding depression.

9. In aventilating water closet, a seat, a ush bowl andvlushi-ngfmeans, a by-pass comuni-eating between the uper part of said bowl and the sewer, a fan in a liquid-holding depression in association, a sealing tube as part ofsaidby-pass dipping into liquid insaid depression, a motor, for driving said fan, and a time-delay switch; for said motor actuated by weight on the seat and allowing the motor to run for an inter-val after removal of such weight.

10. In a Ventilating water closet, .a fan and valve by-pass communicating with the upper part of the flush bowl and the sewer, a fan in said bypass, and a sealing tube concentric inside the fanblades to dip into a liquid-holding depression.

11. In a Ventilating water closet, a fan and valve by-pass communicating with the upper part of the flush bowl and the sewer, and valving means in said bypass including a depression at the bottom of a surrounding liquid-holding means which receives and returns liquid temporarily displaced from said depression, .a sealing tube whose open lower end normally dips into the liquid in said depression, a fan whose operation displaces the liquid from said depression and effects the bypass through the tube, a motor for driving said fan, and an opening to the upper end of the air bypass for directing a liquid to the air bypass and the fan.

12. In mechanism of the character described, a fan and' valve by-pass communicating between the upper part of the flush bowl and the sewer, a fan having a cupped body, a sealing tube dipping therein, blades in said fan body, and openings in the lower portion of the body directed opposite to the direction of rotation of the fan.

13. In mechanism of the character described, a fan and valve by-pass communicating between the upper part of the iiush bowl and the sewer, and a fan in said by-pass having blades and containing liquid as a seal when quiescent and throwing the liquid out to uncover the seal when in motion.

14. Combined fan and seal mechanism, including fan blades in a cupped body, a nonevaporating liquid therein, and a sealing tube dipping into the liquid.

15. Combined fan and seal mechanism, including fan blades in a body for holding a sealing liquid, and a sealing tube dipping into the liquid.

16. Combined fan and seal mechanism, including a compartment with a body of sealing liquid, a sealing tube dipping therein, and fan blades operating at least in part in the liquid to displace the sealing liquid sufficiently to open such seal.

17. A fan-valve comprising a cup-like body with fan blades, a tube extending into liquid therein for sealing the end of the tube when the fan is quiescent and the liquid being centirfugally moved for unsealing when the fan is in motion.

18. In water-close mechanism of the character described, a by-pass compartment communicating between the upper part of the flush bowl and the sewer, including a liquid-valving construction having a sealing tube with open ends and a liquid-holding depression cooperating therewith for normally submerging the lower end of the tube, a liquid holding space thereabouts which receives and gravitationally returns liquid temporarily displaced from the depression, said bypass including a fan whose operation displaces such 7 `8 liquid from the depression to effect Sid bypass UNITED STATES PATENTS through said tube, and an opening to the upper Number Name Date end of the air bypass for directing a liquid to 1,667,265 Neal Apn 24J 1928 ithealrrbypass and thefan- 5 1,663,406 Benning oct. 1s, 1932 1,885,715 Y Hanson Nov. 1, 1932 FLOYD A- HUFF- 1,972,774 Hartwell sept. 4, 1934 2,041,962 Robertson May 26, 1936 2,058,436v Frel Oct. 27, 1936 REFERENCES CITED 2,157,664 Hansen May 19, 1939 The following references are of record in the 10 2,203,111 Stebbing et 9.1 June 4, 1940 le of this patent: Y 2,227,920 Baither Jan. 7, 1941 2,238,461 Carman Apr. 15, 1941 

